Portsmouth may have seen the last of Adil Aouchiche in a blue shirt, with head coach John Mousinho revealing doubts over the loanee’s availability for the remainder of the season following a fractured wrist sustained on Good Friday.
The 22-year-old French midfielder, on loan from Sunderland, was forced off late in the 2-1 win over Norwich City after delivering what his manager described as his “best game” for the club. However, a subsequent attempt to play through the pain against Watford saw Aouchiche withdrawn at half-time, raising concerns over whether he can continue to feature in the crucial run-in.
“Aouchiche had the fracture previously, he tried to play with it (against Watford) and it just wasn’t right. So I don’t think we’ll see Adil play at the weekend… He can’t hold players off, can’t properly close players down, can’t really go into challenges and I think that plays on your mind and that starts to affect the playing side as well. I’m not sure we’ll risk him unless he’s 100-per-cent,” Mousinho told The News.
Signed in the January transfer window in search of regular football, Aouchiche has made 12 appearances for Pompey, starting nine matches and contributing a goal and an assist. His technical ability and work rate won praise from the backroom staff, with the display against Norwich earning particular plaudits for balancing both aspects of his game.
A product of Paris Saint-Germain’s academy, Aouchiche arrived at Sunderland in 2023 but struggled for minutes under Régis Le Bris, prompting his temporary move to Fratton Park. At Pompey, he has featured both on the wing and in central attacking roles, offering versatility during a turbulent second half of the campaign.
With fixtures against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City remaining, Pompey’s Championship status is nearly secure, but Aouchiche’s absence could leave a creative gap in the squad. Christian Saydee, who replaced him during the Watford match, may be called upon again in the final games.
In more encouraging news for Pompey fans, Mousinho confirmed that both Jacob Murphy and Colby Bishop have recovered from knocks and should be fit for the trip to Hillsborough. However, defender Jordan Williams will miss the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury, with recovery expected to take up to two months.
Writer’s View
Aouchiche’s time at Portsmouth has been short, yet impactful. His Norwich performance hinted at untapped potential that Pompey fans were only just beginning to see. While the wrist injury is unfortunate, it also highlights the fragility of loan deals — where momentum can be lost in an instant.
Whether he returns or not, Aouchiche has offered a glimpse of the technical flair Mousinho hopes to build on next season. A permanent move may yet be explored, but for now, fans may have to savour the fleeting spark he brought to Fratton Park.
